Robbie’s Real Estate Trends: Pennies, Nickels, Dimes and Quarters

On May 8 we observed Mother’s Day – a time to celebrate mothers, motherhood and those endearing bonds in our lives. In the case of the Briggs family, this was four days before we lost my mother, Rosemary.

Memaw, as she was known by her nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, was at the center of our lives. Mom was curious; she read every major newspaper before breakfast. She also enjoyed travel, which set a significant tone for the family. Today, Briggs children are spread all over; a testament to Mom’s globetrotting.

When my dad was struggling with illness back in 2001, he’d say that pennies have a way of showing up in the most unusual places – under cushions, in pockets of old clothes, and so on. “If you find one, that’ll be me,” he said. To which my mother replied, “You can afford to leave us nickels!” After his passing, when we randomly happen upon a nickel, which occurs with surprising regularity, we always think of my dad. Sort of a “God-wink,” you might say.

While recently recounting this story with my mom in hospice care, she suggested the same thing might occur in her case. I jokingly told her, “Mom, a nickel isn’t what it used to be. Can we possibly make it a quarter?” She got a chuckle out of it at a time when we all needed one.

I will miss Rosemary Briggs forever, but am comforted by the fact that she is now at peace with God.

Please accept this belated happy Mother’s Day wish to the moms in our lives. And may we cherish all the pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters we find along the way.